Rena Marie Veldkamp, age 97, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 6, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin Veldkamp, who died in 1996 after 49 years of marriage. Rena was born in Grand Rapids to Jurrien and Frances (Tiemeyer) Vander Molen in 1925. She attended Southwest Christian School, where she met Benjamin Veldkamp. They graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School. They married in 1947. Rena is survived by three children: Laurence and Mary Veldkamp of Green Bay, WI (Michael and Alison Veldkamp, Andrew and Nichelle Veldkamp, Paul and Sarah Veldkamp); Mary Ellen Flikkema of Caledonia, MI (Bradley Flikkema, Katherine and Daniel Holland); and Dr. James and Mary Veldkamp of Grand Rapids (Benjamin Veldkamp, Dr. Abigail Veldkamp, Elizabeth and Kyle Willard, Rebecca and Andrew Nyeholt, Martha Veldkamp and fiance' Alexander Loftus, Peter and Melanie Veldkamp, and Capt. John Veldkamp USA and Taylor Veldkamp). Rena is also survived by sixteen great-grandchildren: Jacob, Alexandra, and Kiersten Veldkamp; Isaac and Aaron Veldkamp; Hendrik and Harrison Veldkamp; Hope and Hannah Holland; Matthew, Daniel, Jonathan, and Micah Willard; Luke, Chloe, and Ada Nyeholt. Also surviving are one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law: Arnold Veldkamp, June Vander Molen, Vivian Veldkamp, and Lois Veldkamp. Rena was predeceased by her brother Allen Vander Molen, brother and sister-in-law Dr. John and Eleanor Vander Molen, and son-in-law William Flikkema, as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and their spouses.

Rena was a faithful, hardworking volunteer at the Holland Home, both Fulton Manor and Raybrook, for many years. She served on many committees, fed and visited residents, and supervised the store at Raybrook. She was a member of Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church. Her faith and her family were the sources of her joy and contentment.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the third floor of Raybrook Nursing for the years of excellent and compassionate care given to Rena.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 14 at 1:00 pm at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, with Rev. Mike Abma officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 12 to 1 pm. Private interment services will be held at Rest Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holland Home Foundation.